Super Rare 1969 Corvette L88 Looks to Break the Bank at Auction

This 1969 Corvette L88 is an older restoration with a replacement engine, but it’s still garnering major interest.

Anytime any Corvette L88 pops up for sale, it’s a notable occasion. This is true because there aren’t many of these cars in existence, reminding us of a time when GM would happily build you a factory race car with few frills and enough hardcore components and power that one could drive out of the showroom, head to the track, and win trophies. Now, this pristine 1969 Corvette L88 has popped up for sale at Bring a Trailer, and it looks primed to break the proverbial bank once again.

As most are well aware, GM build just 216 L88 Corvettes in total, and just 116 in 1969. Thus, this 1969 Corvette L88 is obviously quite rare, but that isn’t its only appealing feature. It migrated around for most of its life before being treated to a refurbishment in 1997, after which it racked up some serious hardware including an NCRS Top Flight Award, Bloomington Gold certification, and a spot in the 1998 Bloomington Gold Special Collection.

The Cortez Silver beauty looks no worse for wear today, with plenty of appealing features including body-color T-tops, side exhaust pipes, painted wheels with chrome hardware, F70-15 Firestone Wide Oval redline tires, and an L88-specific high-clearance hood scoop with an integrated air plenum. Underneath, this 1969 Corvette L88 is fitted with the J56 heavy-duty brake package and F41 Heavy Duty Suspension, too.

Inside the cabin, this C3 L88 features a pristine Gunmetal vinyl with Comfortweave seat inserts, a three-spoke steering wheel, and no frills, including air conditioning, power steering, or a radio. There is a plaque that warns the driver that 103 octane fuel must be used, and that’s because what lurks under the hood – GM’s fortified 427 V8 – is a true factory monster, hilariously underrated and highly capable. It’s mated to a Muncie M22 four-speed  transmission and a 3.70-geared rear end.

In this case, that powerplant is a replacement unit, which will ultimately keep this beautiful C3 from selling for mega bucks. However, given its pedigree and rarity, it isn’t like the hammer price won’t be at least a little eye-opening, as is always the case with L88 Corvettes.

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Photos: Bring a Trailer